In this lucid and coherent history of the century of modernism, renowned art writer Edward Lucie-Smith approaches his material in a novel way. Rather than presenting 20th-century visual arts as merely a succession of various styles, he goes beyond to examine the historical, social, and intellectual contexts that have surrounded and supported individual creativity. This is the first book of its type to strongly emphasize photography—an art form that has remained accessible without losing its avant-garde status.

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From the Publisher:

In this lucid and coherent history of the century of modernism, renowned art writer Edward Lucie-Smith approaches his material in an innovative way. Rather than presenting 20th-century visual arts as merely a succession of various styles, he goes beyond to examine the historical, social, and intellectual contexts that have surrounded and supported individual creativity.

From Library Journal:

With this volume, art historian Lucie-Smith (Art Today, LJ 11/15/95) again proves his mastery of the general survey art book. The format and content of this large primer resembles an earlier textbook by the publisher, Peter Selz's Art in Our Times: A Pictorial History, 1890-1980 (LJ 6/15/81). Both have an historical rather than a stylistic approach; chapters are divided by decades, which are then subdivided by media; and each has time lines with year-by-year highlights delineating and linking the political, intellectual, and cultural landscape. Significantly, the new work adds the field of photography to the discussion of painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and architecture. In addition, it makes a stab at pluralism, including greater discussion of women and non-Western artists. These discussions aren't much more than lip service, however, so that despite strong color illustrations, a clear layout, and comprehensiveness, the book earns only a B+. Recommended for general collections and art libraries with a primarily popular focus.?Heidi Martin Winston, NYPLCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.